A FARMER at Kenton did the agricultural community little credit by the way he looked after his farm and animals, Cllr Reg Wills told Teignbriege Council Development Control Com-mittee committee on Monday.
He said he thought anyone who went on the site inspection to Mr N J Burrington's North Covert Farm, Oxton, would be appalled at the condition of the animals and the site.
'It is a disaster waiting to happen. The animals looked pitiful. I do not believe they were kept in a condition they deserved. The animals outside were really pathetic,' he said.
Mr Burrington had applied to extend existing agricultural buildings on the farm.
But Cllr Wills said he was in favour of deferring or refusing the matter.
'I cannot believe he should be encouraged to continue in this way,' he stated.
Planning officer Dave Radford said there was a letter from a solicitor for the objectors saying there was concern about how the farming was carried out and the situation regarding effluent.
Objectors had considered there was a lack of respect of neighbours' property and were concerned about the animal husbandry.
'We have written to the RSPCA regarding the alleged animal husbandry issues,' added Mr Radford, who later said the RSPCA had stated 'that Mr Burrington as the owner of a number of sheep is currently being investigated by the RSPCA concerning possible offences under the Protection of Animals Act'.
Mr Radford said there was an additional application for a mobile home on the site which had not yet been dealt with.
Cllr Ann Rowland said effluent was pouring down a neighbour's field.
'This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the site inspection team was horrified that the Environment Agency had raised no objection.
'I have seen from the gate the cattle standing in their own excrement.
'The neighbours have boreholes for water and the worries are clearly there.
'There are 30 letters of objection. We need a condition that the effluent is taken away and have a management plan submitted by the applicant to ensure these animals are properly cared for.'
She was told by Mr Radford that the agency had said it would go back again for another look.
Cllr Bill Russell said he was horrified. 'I have not seen a farm like this since the war years. The effluent was going down the road,' he said.
Cllr Sylvia Russell said she did not believe it was deliberate cruelty.
'The RSPCA has a role to play but our own environmental health department should have a view on this. There are too many outstanding issues for this to be approved,' she said.
Cllr Brian Berman proposed that permission was granted saying that the conditions would cover the points raised.
Approving the application, the committee imposed conditions that: 1 No development to take place until a scheme for disposal of silage liquor, slurry and dirty water run-off has been submitted to, and approved by, the planning authority in consultation with the Environment Agency.
2 The scheme to be implemented before the erection of either of the approved extensions.
3 The scheme to be shown to the committee by officers.